Windsor celebrates its service members, families

Service and sacrifice were the themes Sunday as Windsor demonstrated appreciation for hometown members of the military who are being honored with large portrait banners that will be displayed around the civic center.

More than 200 people filled the Huerta Gymnasium for a ceremony that was as much about recognizing active duty personnel as it was a salute to their families.

“We’re here to pay honor to the sons and daughters who currently serve in the armed forces and express appreciation to their families, friends and neighbors,” Mayor Bruce Okrepkie said.

The 45-minute ceremony was a paean to small-town patriotism with flags from all 50 states and military flags encircling the inside of the auditorium, a children’s choir singing the anthems for all five branches of the Armed Forces - including the Coast Guard - and a presentation by the Sonoma County Sheriff Color Guard.

None of the “Hometown Heroes” who are being singled out with a large banner featuring their name and portrait were present Sunday, but their families were. They were escorted with solemnity to their seats by veterans groups representing the family member’s branch of service.

Steve Weigart, a chaplain with the Marine Corps League Detachment 686, told the audience they were there to honor young people who’ve chosen to “put God and country before self.”

Fourth District Supervisor ?James Gore said it was a day to honor local members of the military “while they are serving us, not just after.”

All five members of the Windsor Town Council were on hand.

Among those celebrated Sunday was James Bergeron, 33, a Windsor native now serving as a Marine Corps utilities officer and platoon commander at Camp Pendleton.

“He chose to be a Marine and better his life. I could not be more proud. I miss him every day,” ?his mother, Judy Bergeron, said ?in an interview. “He’s young and he’s surpassed all of my expectations.”

But she said holidays are especially tough. “He’s been to Iraq three times, I don’t breathe right when he’s out of the country. It’s a big sacrifice.”

“This is really special,” said Patty Luff, whose two sons Michael Ensrud, a Navy petty officer second class, and William “Bill” Ensrud , a senior airman in the Air Force, were recognized Sunday. “I’m so proud of them, and the rest of the family is really proud of them.”

She said she actually has had three sons in the military, including her oldest Peter, who previously served in the Army.

Other new military banner honorees are:

Army Spc. Michael Azanza, an infantryman with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, ?Ky.

Christopher Engelke, a soldier who received awards for marksmanship and served in Afghanistan. He will be receiving special training at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Air Force Maj. George Nuño, deployed previously to Afghanistan and Iraq and now chief of protocol for 12th Air Forces Southern.

Staff Sgt. James Young, who is Army Ranger qualified and stationed in Vicenza, Italy. He served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

His brother, Sgt. 1st Class John Young IV, also stationed in Vicenza, Italy. Also Army Ranger qualified, he served in a sniper unit in Iraq and was awarded a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal for heroic valor.

The Windsor banner program, similar to one established earlier in Rohnert Park, was spearheaded a couple of years ago by Graham Rutherford, principal of Cardinal Newman High School and former chairman of the Windsor Parks ?and Recreation Commission.

The program is sustained by contributions but is overseen by Windsor, which erects the banners and leaves them up until the honoree is no longer an active military member.

Sunday marked the third time in a little more than a year that families and service members have been acknowledged in the banner program, bringing the number of honorees to 44, according to Jeannie Mitchell, spokeswoman for the parks and recreation department.

The oldest veteran in the audience on Sunday was Jim Kubicka, 92, of Windsor, a retired Marine who fought at Guam in World War II and received a Purple Heart for his wounds.

“This was really great. I think they should do it more,” he said. “People can come here and get an idea of what’s happening.”

You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @clarkmas

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect that Army Sgts. First Class John T. Young IV and James Young are Ranger qualified, not Army Rangers. Additionally, John T. Young IV earned a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal for valor. The article originally contained incorrect information that was provided to the Town of Windsor.